Slipforming Success with the New GOMACO GP3 Concrete Paver

GOMACO Corporation introduced the new GP3 slipform paver for widths up to 30 feet (9.14 m) at World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Nevada, and then to the international market at Bauma in Munich, Germany, earlier this year. The dual-telescoping GP3 is the first in a new family of the world’s most intelligent pavers. It features Smart Frame Widening to accommodate multiple width changes, Smart Leg Positioning and Smart Steering with full-steer tracks, all controlled by the GOMACO-exclusive G+® digital control system.

The new GOMACO GP3 slipform paver has been designed to easily accommodate multiple width changes. It features a roller frame with dual-telescoping capabilities of up to seven feet (2.13 m) on each side of the paver, for a total of 14 feet (4.26 m) of automatic frame widening. Hydraulic telescoping frame members in the front and rear of the mainframe allow the dual telescoping capability. The GP3’s dual-telescoping frame is the first in the industry to incorporate Smart Cylinders. The Smart Cylinders provide the width reference to the G+ controller and uses that information for steering setup and individual track speed control through radii. Automatic camber is built into the frame as it extends with the unique GOMACO roller frame. The T-beam mounting rail is incorporated into the telescoping frame.

The GP3’s Smart Leg Positioning includes rotary sensored slew drives on the pivot arms of each of the paver’s four legs. The Smart Pivots on the legs provide the G+ control system with information on the angle of rotation and work together with the track rotation sensors to maintain the tracks in the straight-ahead steering line. Rotary sensored slew drives are also located on each of the paver’s four tracks for the ultimate in Smart Steering technology and extreme steering with the tracks having the ability to steer farther than ever before. The Smart Track Rotation provides the G+ control system with exact track location and position. The GP3 easily turns radii with Smart Leg Positioning and Smart Track Rotation. They work with the G+ control system to automatically control the direction and speed of the track travel through a radius.

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The new paver has been designed for easy transport. The paver is put into the Transport Mode by simply driving the legs around to the transport position with the GP3’s tracks and hydraulic rotational sensored pivot arms. With the legs in the transport position, G+ travel is switched to “Transport” for complete control. The GP3 has a retractable, sliding operator’s console to reduce the shipping width of the machine. The paver has a minimum transport width of only 8.51 feet (2.59 m) and 33.3 feet (10.15 m) minimum transport length.

The GP3 was designed to be easy to operate with the G+ control system, as well as comfortable for the operator while offering a complete view of the entire job site. Vibrator modules are positioned across the front of the operator’s platform for easy accessibility and operation visibility. G+ allows quiet running technology and also load-sensed hydraulics for maximum paving performance and optimized fuel efficiency. The paver has an isolated operator’s platform for operator comfort during a long day of slipform paving. The platform is easy to access with multi-positioning, pivoting ladders. The ladders allow variable degrees of angle for safety and ease in climbing. For minimum-clearance paving conditions, the ladders can be vertically positioned tight against the paver.

G+ Connect™ allows all the smart accessories and guidance system for the GOMACO paver to be easily interfaced. Simply “connect” a machine guidance system, IDBI, tie bar inserter (TBI), power transition adjuster (PTA), GOMACO Smoothness Indicator (GSI®) and more to the GP3 slipform paver. The GP3 can also feature the latest in telematics and GOMACO Remote Diagnostics (GRD).

The introduction of the GP3 has been a huge success for GOMACO with the paver being sold in several different markets in the United States and internationally, as well. Contractors comment that right from the start, their new GP3s perform flawlessly to become a valuable and versatile asset to their paving operation. For two featured contractors, the GP3 is their first experience with GOMACO concrete slipform pavers.

Read more about the GP3 paver at work on the following pages of the GOMACO World...

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The new GP3 has been used on projects all around the world, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Swank Construction is reconstructing five miles (8 km) of Interstate 376 eastbound and westbound lanes.